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Saturday, May 11, 2013

An Excursion of Insight by Harsh Agarwal

Title: An Excursion Of Insight

Author: Harsh Agarwal

Publishers: D.K. Publisher's Distributors

Date: 2013

Price: Rs. 190

Pages: 210

The image of Indian fictions has
been changing a lot. Post the famous Chetan Bhagat debut in the scenario, the
paperback fictions borders around college life or simply romances though
lately, some commendable writings shone in the area. The industry is now slowly
moving ahead of the peppy college romances to more serious mythological
thriller or simply thriller. The college days are gone. The industry is maturing.
And, in that realm of this juncture – Harsh Agarwal came out with “An Excursion
of Insight” – another story in the backdrop of an Engineering College!! Deep sigh!!

The chances of being a misnomer
were high – so, the author promises in the first line of his blurb “… but this does not tell the story of just
another young lad!” Though the book starts with a usual prologue that comes
with something shivering, accidental, unprecedented, or seemingly a glimpse of
the climax – it takes a different route altogether thereafter. The college
premise is located in Assam – one of the most underrated beautiful places of
India. Just like the place, the novel took a different turn altogether.

The story revolves around few
engineering students – their lives, love, and dreams. The main protagonist was
a Bhutanese guy. The simple thinking, small wishes – all are well depicted
through the character. Though his affair with the rich girl seems immature –
the emotional sentiments are being portrayed in a realistic manner.

The author has used a lucid
language. He is good in his narrative, rich in his vocabulary, still presents a
smooth reading. Though in some parts – the book seemed a bit stretching – the
vast arena he has tried to cover justifies it.

The author deserves kudos in
evolving the character of the protagonist. There were many dramatic moments
where the character grew. But very few of them carried off well. He brought in
forth all the contemporary issues as racial discrimination, politics and even
the inter – cultural acceptance problems. Through the characters – the author
honestly tried to portray the current issues related to the youths of India.
But, the book never delved deep into the issues – rather it explored the inner
psyche of the minds to explore the emotions and the realizations. The
realization of the life – the realization of love – and more precisely he
realized the truth that over-shadowed the overall society of the so-called
human beings. He got the insight in his journey. And, thus he has correctly justified
the name of his book.

But the show-stealer in his book
is the beauty of Assam. Be it the valleys or the tea gardens or the myths
surrounding the place – Assam stood out as the best character that gave the
plot a proper base to prosper.

Though a bit philosophical at
times – and a bit stretching too – the book portrays a deep insight – very
rarely found in the Indian paperbacks. The author deserves compliment for this
bold attempt. And, the book deserves a try.

Positives: The description of the backdrop is pretty good the author has incorporated many contemporary issues involving the youths of the country.

Negatives: Some parts of the book are stretched,which could have been edited better.

This book has been reviewed by Sankha Ghosh: Sankha Ghosh was never born in that 'City of Joy', never dreamt of being a banker, never watched a Godard, never loved Kafka, never fell for thatSolitary Reaper, never danced on a friend’s wedding, never fought for human rights, never had a crush at college and never ever aspired to work on a novel! Never was he as simple as this! #He wishes